[ad] Have you been to the Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival recently – or know someone who did? Maybe you’re starting to wonder what it’s all about. Or perhaps you’re simply trying to make sense of all the ‘regen’ messages coming your way?
At its core, regenerative agriculture is about one thing: putting soil health first. That means minimising soil disturbance, keeping the ground covered, maintaining living roots for as much of the year as possible – and adding as much diversity as you can in your crops, varieties and techniques. Where you can, livestock integration is a key part too.
But context matters. Every farm, every field, every farmer is different. Regen doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach. It doesn’t mean no ploughing, or never using inputs – it’s about working out what makes sense on your land.
Maybe I can help?
You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Small, well-considered changes can make a real difference – both to your soil and to your bottom line.
That might mean tweaking your grazing system. Or setting clearer treatment thresholds for livestock and crops. Or rethinking your breeding decisions to improve longevity and performance. One step at a time – towards a more resilient, profitable and rewarding way to farm.
Philip Day agricultural consultant
I bring over 30 years’ experience in managing dairy, beef, sheep and arable systems, including sustainable land use and organic conversions. That background allows me to offer practical support on soil health, livestock management, staff recruitment and training, budgeting and performance monitoring.
If you’d like to talk about how your farm could adapt in an uncertain world – and where the opportunities lie – give me a ring.
Archbishop Wake CE Primary School, part of the Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust, will be opening a new on-site nursery from 1st September 2025. The provision will include a dedicated baby unit, allowing the school to offer education and care for children from birth to age eleven. The move brings the existing Blandford Children’s Centre Nursery into the Archbishop Wake setting.
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This expansion marks a major development for the school, enabling it to offer all-through early years and primary education to the local community. The nursery will be fully integrated with the primary school, supporting a smooth and consistent journey for children from the Early Years Foundation Stage into Key Stage 1.
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“We are absolutely delighted to be opening our own nursery,” said Headteacher, Daniel Carter. “This has been an exciting project for the entire community, and we believe it will provide invaluable support for families in Blandford. We are really looking forward to welcoming our first nursery children in September.”
As part of the changes, the school will also take over the existing ‘Oscars’ wraparound care provision. This will extend support for working families and further strengthen the school’s role within the local community.
Working Equitation welcomes every horse – part dressage, part obstacle course, all excitement, and possibly the most inclusive equestrian sport
While The Sass Queen is always up for a challenge, turning her hoof to most things with great enthusiasm, there is one discipline she genuinely begrudges: dressage. Our points for relaxation and harmony are not usually high (because life is so much more fun when you can do everything at speed, right?). In fact, if we stay within the white boards, I’m taking that as a win.
Lynne Macleod and Hermes clearing an obstacle holding a traditional vara. All images: Joe Gros
If this sounds familiar – or perhaps you’ve got a dressage diva but you’d like to try something different – then Working Equitation could well be the answer. Lynne Macleod started competing in the sport ten years ago, and her accolades include competing at the World Championships in France in 2022 and being on the British Working Equitation development squad. ‘The competitions reward the partnership and harmony between horse and rider,’ Lynne says. They consist of three phases: dressage, ease of handling and the speed round. ‘Different obstacles emulate the terrain that horses encounter while out working in the field or on ranches. It’s basically crossing bridges or opening gates, but with a bit more flair!’
Image from Lynne’s recent clinic at Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerset
The phases The dressage phase is much like your typical competition format: control, precision, harmony, collection and relaxation, with scores out of 10 for each movement. Unlike traditional dressage, it’s always in a 20×40 arena, whatever the level. There is only one test per level, with callers allowed at regional competitions – making it perfect for the slightly nervous or more forgetful riders (of which I am most definitely the latter. A, turn up the centre line … and was it track right or left at C?). Additional collective marks are given for turnout which, in the UK, is described as “traditional hunting attire” – plaited horses, tweed jacket, beige breeches, plain-coloured saddle-shaped numnah. The next phase, ease of handling, is ‘dressage but with stuff in the way,’ as Lynne puts it. ‘There is a set course, with different obstacles you have to tackle while maintaining composure. Scoring is out of 10 for precision, submission and ease of movement. At the advanced levels, riders are expected to perform flying changes in specific places for particular obstacles, and movements are performed using only one hand.’ The speed round is not just The Sass Queen’s personal favourite –even Lynne calls it ‘the fun bit’. You’re completing the obstacle course against the clock – but for every obstacle you knock or complete incorrectly you get ten points added to your time.
For the Spear The Ring obstacle, the competitor must skewer the ring(s) with the tip of the pole, while the horse maintains gait
Depending on the venue, cattle handling can be an additional phase, with riders working alongside their team to cut their cow away from the herd, get it over the line and into the pen. Having lived on a farm and terrorised a couple of bulls over the years, I feel that The Sass Queen would excel at this! However, Lynne advises this is very much not American rodeo, and that the animal’s welfare is always at the forefront. ‘A common misconception is that Working Equitation is like handy pony or mounted games for adults, she says. ‘But it’s so much harder! It is quite easy to get eliminated and everyone does at some point. But unlike other equestrian sports, it doesn’t rule you out of completing the other phases of the competition. You can also be placed against other riders who have been eliminated. ‘I’d definitely advise anyone wanting to give it a go to purchase the rule book first …’ Having had a go at a training competition held at Kingston Maurward College a few months ago, I can attest to the rules being quite particular: the gate must be opened and closed with your right hand, and you cannot enter the zone of an obstacle you have not yet completed. ‘You don’t make the same mistake twice. though,’ says Lynne, who once drove four hours to Norfolk for a competition, just to get eliminated for using the wrong hand at the gate. ‘One thing I love is that there is always a phase which your horse will excel at, and another that you’ll need to work a bit more on. It’s a level playing field.’ One thing I’ve noticed from watching a few clinics and competitions is that you also get all types of horses, from Warmbloods to Icelandics – and everything in between. ‘It’s a common misconception that you need an Iberian or a Lusitano to compete,’ says Lynne. ‘It’s very inclusive and there is always such a sense of camaraderie. National competitions are a bit like a stay-away Pony Club party, with everyone getting behind you during the speed round. The roar of 3,000 people willing us on at Westpoint was such an amazing experience!
The Sass Queen letting Tamsin Doar know exactly what her opinions are on dressage at a Working Equitation clinic
Unlike other affiliated disciplines, you move up through the levels when you feel ready to. Regional competitions are one day, and the points you gain count towards the national league. Once you’ve started competing at a certain level you can’t then move down a level, unless you achieve a particularly low score. Working Equitation is also one of the only disciplines where you can compete in a bitless bridle throughout, and any FEI legal bit is allowed, so long as you keep the same tack in each phase. ‘It’s great to see that Pony Club’s are also getting more involved,’ says Lynne. ‘Kids seem to find working equitation really engaging – it takes away what they sometimes feel as the “boring” element of dressage, and mixes it with something fun that they really have to concentrate on.’ I can fully sympathise with this: as a young rider I just wanted to go fast and have fun. The idea of poncing around the arena getting my left and rights mixed up always filled me with dread! ‘It’s also great for kids who perhaps don’t have ponies that are at the level to make Pony Club teams: working equitation is very accessible, and any breed of horse can excel at it.’
Lynne McLeod opening a gate during ease of handling phase, which involves a series of precise maneuvers that demonstrate the horse and rider’s partnership and control
Lynne advises if you’re wanting to dip your toe into the waters to take a look at the Association of British Working Equitation website where there’s lots of helpful information, ranging from contacts for local instructors to upcoming clinics and competitions, including a clinic held at Kingston Maurward College on 6th August, and a regional competition there on 16th August. Who knows, maybe I’ll see some of you there while I’m trying to persuade The Sass Queen that she really does love dressage after all, and only has to hold it together for a few minutes until we can get to the fun bit!
A beautiful park, well-designed undulating courses and a warm welcome for cobs with fabulous moustaches at the British Eventing weekend
As far as settings for competitions go, you won’t find many as beautiful as Kingston Maurward College near Dorchester. With its stunning parkland, sweeping away from from the main house, it could easily be mistaken for Badminton or Blenheim. With classes running each day – the 80cm and most of the 90cm on Saturday, followed by the 90cm, 100cm and novice classes on Sunday – it clearly took a mammoth effort to organise. But the hard work paid off, delivering a smooth, professional event that was a pleasure to attend.
Moustachio-ed cobs The event marked a milestone for the legendary cross-country starter Keith Watkins who, on the Sunday, started his 120,000th horse on to a cross-country course. Having volunteered with BE since 1989, he is a familiar face to many across the South West, welcoming well-known professional competitors and helping put nervous first-timers at ease with his calm and organised manner. As with any event, dressage is the first phase to be completed (or, in my personal limited eventing experience, tackled…). The arenas were set on top of a hill with beautiful views across the parkland down towards the main house. Portuguese international event rider Miguel Catela, who is based near Wincanton and has competed horses up to 4* level, said: ‘The organisers have obviously listened to last year’s feedback. This year the arenas are in a different location, with good ground and plenty of warm up space.’ Miguel went on to produce a beautiful test on his ride, scoring 23.5.
In the 80cm and 90cm classes, it was great to see horses of so many different shapes and sizes, ranging from ex-top eventers to cobs sporting the most fabulous moustaches Wesley was one such moustachio-ed cob, and his rider Emilia Wills rode a lovely test in their first BE event in the GO BE80 section. ‘My goal is for Wesley to be the next cob to make it around Badminton Grassroots, proving that cobs can!’ Emilia won her section, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see them there soon.
Emilia Wills has big plans for Wesley to be the next cob around Badminton Grassroots Image: Anne Bolton
Mini-championship feel The show jumping course produced some lovely rounds and made for great entertainment for the spectators – although a few horses found the gradient, the final oxer (set in a dip before an upward stride) and the dog-leg line between fences seven and eight slightly tricky to ride, which unfortunately resulted in a couple of ‘involuntary dismounts’ through the day. Chloe Robinson, whose horse completed her first 100cm class, said: ‘It was quite undulating, so there was a lot of alternating between keeping the momentum and having to slow them down to keep them on their hocks. But it rode really nicely – it’s been such a lovely day out!’ The show jumping was right in front of the main house, with trade stands drawing small crowds of spectators and many competitors commenting on the atmosphere. Erin Dove, who competed in the 90cm on her TB x NF Trenley Tomorrow, said: ‘Having the stands and hospitality tents so near to the arena makes it feel very atmospheric, like a mini-championship. The organisers have clearly put a lot of effort in to getting it right.’
Erin Dovey on Trenley Tomorrow Image: Anne Bolton
Miguel Catela and Millwood Twiga did a beautiful test, scoring 23.5 Image: Anne Bolton
A lovely ride With so many riders saying they choose to compete affiliated as they’re aiming for the Grassroots Championships, this appears to be the perfect venue to introduce horses to that type of setting. Another 90cm competitor, Celia Bellamy, said her aim for the day was to get a double clear (which she managed beautifully). Her husband, who doesn’t usually watch, was in attendance, so clearly he’s a lucky charm. ‘Ultimately, I am aiming for Grassroots,’ she says. ‘Kingston Maurward is perfect for introducing the horses to something that has more of a championship feel’. The cross-country course also won similarly enthusiastic reviews. Kate Whattam, a Dorset-based rider, said: ‘The 80cm course was quite beefy and up to height. That with the undulating ground made you feel as though you were riding a proper cross country course. We’re extremely lucky to have such a great venue right on our doorstep’. The course itself was quite winding, with a few long downhill stretches, demonstrating the need for a well-balanced horse and good studs: the general consensus among the riders was that it was a lovely course to ride.
While the warm weather has been welcomed by many, it does cause problems for us equestrians: it’s always a worry that hard ground will cause injuries to the horses. However, the organisers had clearly done a lot of preparation to ensure the ground remained good and were out watering the course for weeks beforehand. The team was keen to thank event sponsors Andrews Plant Hire for supplying the water bowser!
George Walford and Meadowsweet Conker (and The BV fence!). Image: Anne Bolton
‘They’ve clearly put a lot of hard work into the ground and the course,’ says Miguel Catela. ‘Although it’s the same as last year, the course itself is well-designed and very educational for younger and greener horses.’ Judging by the cheers, smiles and big pats from those flying over the finishing line, it was a great course to ride, with the optimum time taking into account the recent warm weather conditions. One of the youngest competitors, George Walford, had a fabulous time on his New Forest pony Conker, finishing in 6th place in his section. One of his support crew told me: ’They’re normally too fast, so they had to trot a lot. Conker has done a lot of hunting and will stay out all day if he can, so cross country is his favourite bit!’
The only drama of the day was early on, with a frantic phone call that the Maoam sweets hadn’t been ordered for the volunteers! However, I’m reliably informed they were kept well fed and watered throughout the day. The sheer number of people who had kindly offered up their time to help ensure the event ran smoothly was astonishing – and they were all cheerful and helpful throughout the weekend. From road-crossing stewards to medical personnel and some of KMC’s own Combined Cadet Force students, they all kept smiles on their faces and the event wouldn’t have been such a success without them.
It was lovely to see that a local event was so well supported, with local riders alongside those who had travelled from much further afield to what is a relatively new event (only the second BE competition held at Kingston Maurward). The beautiful setting mixed with trade stands from local businesses also provided a lovely family-friendly day out, with lots of families turning up just to watch. The scenery from the top of the hill by the commentary box is stunning, offering a panoramic view across the estate and most of the cross-country course, with many groups choosing to set up camp here for the day to enjoy their picnics with a view. The supportive atmosphere and great riding appeared to inspire a new generation of riders: quite a few small, high-pitched voices could be heard asking, ‘Daddy, can I have a pony please?’ I suspect a few parents may find themselves back at the same competition in years to come, observing from the other side of the fence!
A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues.
Q: I got a text asking me to click on a link to reschedule a parcel delivery. I was waiting for a parcel from Royal Mail, so I clicked and was asked to make a payment. Luckily, my daughter told me the text is a scam but I almost gave away my personal details. How can I spot this type of scam in the future?
phone displaying scam package delivery text messages. Phishing concept.
A: Parcel delivery scams are becoming increasingly common. Those involving texts and emails are known as phishing scams. They aim to trick you into giving away your personal and financial details. Scammers do this by enticing people to click on links which can lead to fake websites. While scammers can pretend to be from any parcel delivery company, many of them choose Royal Mail because it’s the largest delivery company in the UK. These scams can be in the form of a text or an email or phone call. There are also reports of fake ‘Something for You’ cards, which Royal Mail leave when a delivery attempt fails. Here are some tips on how you can stay vigilant and spot the signs of a parcel delivery scam: If you’re waiting for a parcel and get a message that asks you to pay to get it, or reschedule the delivery, it’s usually a scam. Don’t click any links or attachments in the text or email. Parcel delivery scammers often pretend to be from an organisation like Royal Mail, and can try to make you click on a fake version of the company’s genuine website. To check if a link is genuine, hover your mouse over the link without clicking on it, or press and hold on the link on a mobile device. You should be able to see the address the link goes to, so you can check it’s the same as the company’s official website address. Make sure you check the address carefully – fake link addresses can look similar to the genuine address. If you get an email, check if the email address matches the sender’s name or organisation If there’s something you’re unsure about, don’t feel pressured to act. Royal Mail has a helpful page on its website of examples of delivery scams. You can check if you think something you’ve seen online, or in a text or email you’ve received, might be a scam, using an online tool on the Citizens Advice website.
Doug Procter welcomes the final 2025 foal as he tackles baked paddocks, protects delicate noses and wonders if a rain dance might help
That’s it! Foaling is done for 2025! The last TGS foal of the season arrived on 16th June at a relatively civilised 11.40pm. Since the end of January I have been sleeping in two shifts, 6-10pm and 5-9am, and in between, sitting up watching the foaling cameras through the night: these past two weeks have seen me able to return to a normal sleep pattern. This last foal is out of a non-Thoroughbred former eventer, stable name Pig, and she arrived with us a few weeks ago to foal. The filly is Pig’s first foal and is quite small, which is common in maiden mares. Although the foal is very correct conformationally, and extremely pretty, her owners have named her Piglet, as befits her diminutive size!
A foal called Piglet All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
The hot, dry weather throughout June meant plenty of fast ground at racecourses, and several new course records were set at Royal Ascot in Berkshire, which ran from 17th to 21st June. I was particularly excited by Trawlerman’s victory in the Gold Cup. He was the first of Golden Horn’s progeny to win a Group 1 on the flat. We hope this will help the sale of a colt we have bred this year out of one of the stud’s own mares, She’s Gina. He is due to go to the foal sales in December.
A trio of trouble
She’s Gina’s colt is a particularly nice example of a foal bred to race middle-distance (mile to mile and a half) or staying races (mile and a half plus). He is in total contrast to his best mate, a foal who is bred to race at less than a mile (think of the physique of Usain Bolt as opposed to that of Mo Farah). Their mothers are physically similar to their foals. One mare has won and been Group 3 placed over a mile and a half, whereas the other mare is a half-sister to a US Breeders Cup Turf Sprint winner over five furlongs (see photo below).
She’s Gina’s colt (right) is bred to race middle-distance (mile to mile and a half). In total contrast, his best mate (left) is bred to race at less than a mile (think of the physique of Usain Bolt vs Mo Farah)
Nursery duties At home on the stud we have had to adapt to the recent hot conditions. With the lack of rain, the ground in our paddocks is very hard. We have a few mares whose foals have slight conformation faults, and our farrier attends to them regularly. These foals are kept in small groups in smaller paddocks: The hope (often in vain) is that this discourages too much galloping on the hard ground. Too much jarring through their legs can irritate the growth plates in their joints and be detrimental to our efforts to correct their defects.
During a heatwave, horses with pink noses will have sunscreen applied each morning
With the unrelenting summer sun, mares and foals with pink noses have sun cream applied on the morning feed run – left untreated, they run the risk of severe and painful sunburn. One mare is particularly sensitive to the sun, so we have been bringing her and her foal into a stable during the hottest part of the day to get her out of the sun altogether.
Old school air-con: two lengths of binder twine do the trick
Old school air-con In this hot weather, with no air conditioning in our elderly tractor, we have to tie the doors open with baler twine to create a slightly cooling through-draft. We have needed to do a lot of paddock topping (lawn mowing on a grand scale) as we have moved stock around between fields. Unfortunately, horses are very picky grazers – they will eat some areas bare and leave others like a hay field. So we need to cut the longer grass to ensure the mares will eat the younger, shorter growth, when they are turned back in. To further mitigate the heat, we have been heading out topping in the relative cool of the early morning and late evening. The foals themselves also have to adapt. As their own tails are not yet long enough to be effective fly swats, they often stand with their heads in their mother’s tail to help keep the flies away.
As their own tails are not yet long enough to be effective fly swats, they often stand with their heads in their mother’s tail to help keep the flies away.
Mares without foals at foot can often be found standing in a small circle, each with their heads within fly squatting range of the tail of the mare infront. As we head into July, with more sunshine forecast, we are threatening to challenge our staff to come up with the best rain dance! If this works, you’ll find us whingeing next month that we’ve had too much rain, but for now we will dream on …
Open Farm Sunday was a huge success, with around 3,000 people visiting the farm for a day of education and enjoying local, home-made (additive free) produce from all our Love Local Trust Local family producers. The farmers helping us all went home with a smile, feeling supported by everyone who came. Telling our story and helping people understand how their food is made is so important, and I believe we all did this very well on 8th June. Local MP Simon Hoare joined us – a big thank you to him for his support. It is vital we can educate government and councils about the importance of food education and growing more at home. The only thing that overshadowed the event was the BBC’s warning about Cryptosporidium. Health and safety is always taken seriously on the farm. But it’s a shame more news doesn’t cover the constant problems farmers face with disease outbreaks like foot and mouth, bluetongue, avian flu and bovine TB.
Barbara (second left) on the Bridport Food Festival panel on ultra-processed foods
We’re not the terrorists On 14th June I was invited to the Bridport Food Festival to join a discussion panel on ultra-processed food. The panel included a doctor, a nutritionist, a teacher and me, as a farmer and food label campaigner. One of my questions was whether local food can be produced intensively. The purpose of intensive farming is high production at low cost, which is what consumers want (cheap food). Regenerative farming works with natural systems, but doesn’t produce enough food quickly or cheaply enough. We desperately need to find a balance between local food production and caring for our environment.
Open Farm Sunday at Rawston Farm
It’s scary when you turn on the television and see what’s happening in the world. Food security has to be a priority. Oil prices have already gone up and we need food on our tables to survive. I was so sad that day in Bridport to feel the general mood in the room: that farmers are somehow to blame for ultra-processed food. I explained that when our meat leaves our farm, it’s been well cared for, well fed, it has no additives. It’s totally traceable, inot only local but fresh, with lots of flavour. It’s good quality, healthy food. Peak District farmer Lorna Critchlow went viral in June with a despondent Facenook post which struck a chord with lots of farmers, me included: ‘I try to pinpoint when the narrative shifted from farmers being celebrated as saviours of domestic food supply to being demonised as productivity-obsessed, environmental terrorists. ‘And I wonder how the connection between the food we all need to eat to survive and the farmers producing it has disintegrated.’
Open Farm Sunday at Rawston Farm
Somewhere along the line something has gone drastically wrong. My dear Mum and Dad lived through ration books: my mother was a land girl. Food security, surely, has got to be the biggest priority, especially with what is going on in the world. All our imported food has to pass through the Red Sea. There has to be an impact, and costs will rise again. With such global uncertainty, we need our farmers more than ever.
On one of the hottest evenings of the year so far, more than 60 business owners from across North Dorset’s market towns gathered on 10th July at Hinton Workspace near Sturminster Newton to explore a shared ambition: to work more closely together and build a rural business voice bigger than the sum of its parts.
The event – initiated by Shaftesbury Chamber and quickly embraced by Gillingham and Sturminster Newton Chambers – marked the first step towards a united network of local chambers, with representatives from Sherborne and Blandford also attending.
Heads of Chambers Barry Von-Clemens (lilac shirt), Virginia Edwyn-Jones (speaking) and Pauline Batstone addressing the first gathering of the North Dorset Chambers at Hinton Workspace
Alice Fox-Pitt, who hosted the evening, said: ‘We welcomed over 70 people to Hinton for an evening driven by one shared goal: to elevate North Dorset businesses, and strengthen the ties that hold our local community together. It really was something special.’
North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, who has long championed rural business, gave a wide-ranging and passionate speech celebrating the role of enterprise in sustaining local life.
‘For too long, Dorset Council has been concerned with what I call the “Southern Smile” – Weymouth, Portland, Christchurch, Poole… and north of Wimborne, apparently we’re all too busy hunting, shooting, milking and country dancing to be noticed,’ he said. ‘But you are absolutely vital.
‘Approximately 65% of North Dorset residents are either at, or well over, the age of retirement – and we cannot afford our rural areas to become, effectively, the largest open-air nursing home outside of Eastbourne.
More than 70 rural Dorset businesses gathered at Hinton Workspace to network and connect
‘In every step and turn of this constituency I find innovation, investment, enterprise and enthusiasm. That’s the danger if we don’t attract and keep working-age people.
‘We need investment – in digital infrastructure, in roads, in schools – so that the next generation can take up the job offers you’re creating.
‘I think entrepreneurialism is now seen as something of a slander. Profit has become something almost to be embarrassed about. The private sector is something to be tolerated rather than championed. But we all know that without a vibrant private sector, there can be no successful and reliable public sector. It’s the Corporation Tax, it’s the Business Rates, it’s the National Insurance and it’s the Income Tax that pays for our much-needed nurses, doctors, teachers, police, army…’
North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, who has long championed rural business, gave a wide-ranging and passionate speech celebrating the role of enterprise in sustaining local life
He also called for more pride in what local businesses are already achieving:
‘We need to champion, far more proudly and with far more confidence, the absolute importance of business in North Dorset.’
The message of interdependence was echoed by others in the room. Sturminster Newton mayor Pauline Batstone spoke of the value in unity: ‘We can still operate as independent chambers, but working closely together, speaking with one voice. This is about creating a thriving rural economy – and jobs for our young people.’
Councillor Virginia Edwyn-Jones, mayor of Shaftesbury and chair of Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce, echoed the call for unity: ‘North Dorset has so much to offer – terrific businesses, skilled people and a strong sense of community. But to thrive, we need to make sure our voice is heard. That means working more closely than ever with our neighbouring towns to build a shared vision for the rural economy as a confident, collaborative hub of innovation and enterprise.’
Friars Moor veterinary practice director Yoav Alony-Gilboa put it more bluntly: ‘If we don’t support each other, we’re all doomed! We’re all deeply connected – and this is why events like this are brilliant.’
Jess Rimmer relives her U25 Championship 4* debut with Basil at Bramham
This month has actually been, dare I say it, a bit quieter for Team Rimmer! We’ve ticked off our spring aims, jumped some relatively formidable fences and have spent the remainder of June reflecting, recalibrating and building on what we’ve learned as we head into a busy summer. Max and Jimmy enjoyed runs at Farley Hall, where Jimmy flicked his toes for an impressive 24 dressage, and Max proved himself as Mr. Consistent with a double clear and 5th place. He kept up his tidy streak at Kingston Maurward with another double clear, this time finishing 4th in the Novice – a great result for his owners, who also sponsored the event! I wrote my last article while en route to Bramham, where we were heading to compete in the 4*S U25 National Championships. Eek! With the rest of the month being relatively quiet, I thought we could debrief properly on Bramham’s excitements – I’d quite like to relive it all again and again, so what better way than to put it in writing!
The Spice Merchant (Basil) Image: Courtenay Hitchcock
We’re doing this For those who are unfamiliar, Bramham is a prestigious venue: possibly one of the biggest cross country tracks on British soil (with the exceptions of Badminton and Burghley, of course). It’s somewhere I’ve always dreamed of going, so to have the opportunity to actually compete there was a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment! All thanks to the Portman Ladies Syndicate, Alex Munn, Mum, William and of course BASIL!
Jess’ friend Alex Munn, Basil’s owner and previous rider, giving him a post-training pep talk. Image: Jo Rimmer
So – what does it take to get to an event like this? Although Basil and I have both competed at this level before, it’s not as simple as just popping an entry in. To get to each level (or height/difficulty), horse and rider combinations have to complete enough “minimum eligibility requirements” or MERs at the levels below. That meant we had to achieve three 3s with MER results (for the stat-lovers, a MER is a sub-45 dressage, 16 show jumping penalties or less, and a clear XC with no more than 30 time penalties). But with only a handful of 3s in the run-up to Bramham, there wasn’t much room for error – we basically couldn’t afford for anything to go wrong. Which, as anyone in the horsey world knows, is rarely the case! But somehow, with the help of mum and the team at Fox-Pitts, we managed to tick off our three 3*s – not only with MERs, but also with double clears (oh, jeez, we’re actually doing this..!). It felt like such a distant dream, and then suddenly it wasn’t. We pulled out of the yard with horse, tack and Chateau Rimmer all packed up … and then reality properly hit.
Basil the goofball Image: Courtenay Hitchcock
Suiting us fine I can safely say that Bramham lived up to all our expectations. The amazing atmosphere, the beautiful setting, the famous Thursday night party – it was all just SO COOL! AHH! Basil, the composed competitor that he is, settled in very quickly. We had a training session with William on Thursday evening in the walled garden, ahead of our Friday dressage. I was very lucky to have William there all week, guiding me through the event – he is known as the King of Bramham, so hey, I’m learning from the best! He warmed me up for my dressage on Friday, where Basil tried really hard for a middle-of-the-field test. I’ll take that for our first go at that level!
Another “pinch-me” moment: I walked through the shopping stands and spotted a photo of Max and I in the LeMieux stand. I stopped to grab a pic before I noticed the guy behind the counter looking at me like some crazy stalker… clearly I am unrecognisable without those flattering turquoise leggings!
We then set out on a course walk – when I left, I said to mum: ‘I hope we have some big jumps’. Don’t worry, I got my wish! Although imposing to look at, it was a bold track which really rewarded positive, forward riding – and that suited us just fine. Don’t get me wrong, I still had butterflies in my stomach, but now they were more out of excitement than fear.
William Fox-Pitt with some last-minute advice for Jess: ‘You’ll go in that big main arena for the first go at this level. Realistically, you’ll have two down. You have to be ready for that’. Image: Jo Rimmer
You might have four down The show jumping phase, on the other hand … Lots of people find show jumping less nerve-wracking than cross-country. Technically speaking, it is safer, because the jumps fall down and when it goes wrong it’s far less likely to go REALLY wrong. But that’s what I find so difficult – you have to be such a perfectionist, especially at this level, and it’s the rider’s job to get everything right in order to help the horse clear the fences. There is such a small margin for error, and in the past I know I have put far too much pressure on myself in this phase.
Walking the course – spot mum! Image: Jess Rimmer
However, my whole team couldn’t have been more supportive, and William’s words are the ones which really stuck with me: ‘you’ll go in there, in that big main arena, for your first go at this level. You might have four down, you might go clear. Realistically, you’ll have two down. You have to be ready for that’.
It was such a brilliant reminder that this event was always supposed to be a challenge, and that I mustn’t be too harsh on myself if it’s not absolutely perfect. I must’ve somehow managed to channel my inner “Mr Cool” William … We jumped clear! Honestly, there aren’t many words to describe the excitement, joy and relief I felt on landing after the final fence. It lasted for all of ten minutes, before I realised I had only a few hours before heading out onto that cross country course … Those hours of concentrating, watching and discussing with fellow competitors seemed never-ending. Nobody talks about how draining it is being ‘in the zone’ for SO long!
‘He jumped an epic clear, of course, and I would totally do it all again if I could’ Image: Courtenay Hitchcock
Finally it was our go. A course like that gives me such a wicked combination of adrenaline, focus and fun – there isn’t another feeling like it, especially with a partner-in-crime like Basil. He jumped an epic clear, of course, and I would totally do it all again if I could! We finished a very respectable 12th in the U25 Championships, but most importantly Basil and I gained confidence – not only over those bigger fences, but also in our training, our system and most of all, in each other. It sets us up really well for our next event – Aston 4* this weekend. See you on the other side!
